ENGLISH LEAGUE FOOTBALL TEAM.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1579, 29 July 1920, Page 14

ENGLISH LEAGUE FOOTBALL TEAM.

thrilling match against AUCKLAND. VISITORS DEFEATED AFTER SPECTACULAR GAME. Unparalleled enthusiasm was displayed in Auckland Rugby football circles on Saturday in the first appearance of the 1920 English Northern Union team in New Zealand, when the visitors had as their opponents the local representative League thirteen, captained by the evergreen K. Ifwersen. Despite the fact of the Englishmen having lost the “ashes” as a result of being beaten by the elect of Australia in two of the three test matches, the decisive manner in which they won the last of these three memorable games prior to taking their departure for Auckland left bo doubt in the minds of close followers of League football that the visitors were a formidable side. This view had been strengthened by other victories gained by the Englishmen during their series of matches in Sydney, Brisbane, and other less important centres in the Commonwealth, and the consensus of opinion among League supporters in Auckland was to the effect that the local men would be sorely tried in their efforts to combat the scoring propensities of the visiting combination in the opening match of the New Zealand tour. A victory for the Aucklanders appeared a remote possibility, and much speculation was indulged in regarding the margin of points which the Englishmen would establish in their favour. Though the absence of their captain, Harold Wagstaffe. who was unable to take jris place in the team in consequence of an injured hand sustained in the final test match against the Australians in Sydney, and the incomparable goal-kicker. B. Gronow, was expected to make itself felt in the match against Auckland, the visitors placed a strong team in the field, including the crack quartette of backs, Gwyn Thomas, J. Rogers, W. J. Stone, and J. Parkin. With such capable exponents of League football to do battle on their behalf, the visitors’ task against the Auckland thirteen did not appear beyond their powers, and the majority of the record crowd of. thirty thousand that assembled at the Domain did so in anticipation of witnessing an uphill fight by the local men in opposition to a more experienced team. No better illustration of the remarkable popularity of the League game could possibly have been desired than Saturday’s match, which kept the onlookers in a state of tense excitement from the, kick-off till the call of time, a memorable scene of enthusiasm being witnessed as the Aucklanders left the 'field victorious after a fast and spectacular game which established Northern Union football in public favour for all time. The match was entirely free from monotonous scrummaging and close work, and has aroused the keenest interest in the forthcoming match on Saturday between the Englishmen and the New Zealand team, which will constitute the first of the three test matches against the All Blacks, to be played at Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch respectively. The visitors anticipate putting a stronger combination in the field on Saturday, and though no great change has been effected in the personnel of the team which is to represent New Zealand as compared with the thirteen which triumphed over the Englishmen on Saturday last, a week’s solid training at Arkle’s Bay should effect considerable improvement in the local men. That the match will prove a memorable one is an assured fact, and the Englishmen are expected to make a superhuman effort to retrieve their lost laurels in the first of their big tests in the Dominion. To return to last Saturday’s match, there is little doubt the visitors suffered a severe set-back in losing the services of one of their most brilliant backs in Rogers shortly after the commencement owing to a serious injury to his leg. In keeping with their customary practice the Englishmen did not replace the injured player, continuing throughout practically the whole of the game with twelve men. The first score of the match was

secured by Auckland, who were awarded a try as a result of obstruction by the visitors, but Ifwersen missed the shot at goal. Shortly after Parkin scored a brilliant try for England, which Hurcombe converted, giving the visitors a lead of a couple of points. Later Somers augmented Auckland’s score with a try, while during the remainder of the first halt McClymont. Walters and Cloke each secured tries, two of which were converted by Davidson, the score at halitinie being: Auckland 19, England pIn the second spell the English backs gave frequent displays of brfi" liant passing, making a determined bid to turn the tables, on their opponents, Stone and Parkin improving their prospects by each scoring a try, one of which Thomas converted, bringing the score to: Auckland 19, England 13. The margin of points being thus reduced, excitement reached fever heat, the many sparkling incidents with which the game scintillated being vociferously heralded by the enthusiastic spectators. The situation, from the local supporters point of view, was eased by Ifwersen getting across, Davidson being successful with the shot at goal. The Englishmen were undaunted and made repeated efforts to break through the defence of the Aucklanders, Bacon putting the finishing touches to a brilliant passing bout by the visiting backs, the . try being unconverted, the game ending. Auckland 24, England 16. Though the Englishmen’s showing was disappointing in some respects, especially that of the forwards, who lacked the agility and initiative of the local vanguard, they gave undoubted evidence of being a high-class combination. The game disclosed the gratifying fact that Auckland can still lay claim to possessing the dashing type of forward which in years gone by has made Rugby history for the northern province. Particularly in the first half were the Auckland forwards to be seen to great advantage, their fast following up, deadly tackling and avidity in seizing opportunities repeatedly harassing the Englishmen, who experienced much difficulty in setting their brilliant backs in motion. Bass and Walters were two indefatigable workers in the local vanguard, the former’s fine tackling being no small factor towards the Aucklanders’ victory. The pair named were ably assisted by the other members of the front division, all of whom played up to their best form. The Auckland backs gave a sound and safe exhibition, and though lacking the combination displayed by the visiting rearguard, they were frequently responsible for good individual work. Polson, the diminutive half-back, acquitted himself with distinct credit, the plucky manner in which he invariably got down to the determined forward rushes of the visitors and his nippiness in making openings for his side being bright features of a fine all-round display behind the pack. Grey stood out most prominently of the local threequarters, his defensive tactics, especially his fine tackling, consistently getting his side out of danger. Both 'lfwersen, who at times appeared to be troubled with an injury sustained to his leg earlier in the season, and Davidson’, the full-back, played soundly, their ability in handling many difficult situations materially strengthening the Auckland defence. Of the English forwards. Clarke showed up the most prominently, and was to be found at the head of most of the visitors’ rushes. Johnson also gave a serviceable display. Parkin was the star performer among the English backs, his dodging runs always threatening danger to the local men. He possesses rare pace, and frequently puzzled his opponents with his strategic movements, gaining much ground for the visitors by his straight runs and well-timed short passes infield. Bacon, Hurcombe and Stone were associated in a number of bril-

iant passing bouts, displaying excellent cohesion in this direction. At

times, however, the English backs appeared to crowd one another, and in consequence of the splendid tackling of the Aucklanders, made but little headway, being forced to race across the field instead of gaining more ground by running straighter. Thus their efforts were often rendered less effective. Thomas, at fullback, took matters coolly, extricating his side from a number of awkward predicaments, his fielding being sure, and his kicking of a judicious character.